Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can lead to serious complications. These complications include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis and even death. A single case of measles is considered a public health emergency.
Measles begin with cold-like symptoms: cough, runny nose, red itchy watery eyes and a high fever. Two to four days after symptoms begin, a raised red rash will appear on the head and spread downward to become a full body rash, usually lasting 5-6 days. People with measles appear quite ill.
Measles is spread by airborne droplets or by nasal and throat secretions of an infected person. The average time from exposure to beginning of the rash is 14 days. Measles is infectious from one day before the beginning of respiratory symptoms to about 4 days after the appearance of the rash.
If a student or staff member in the school develops a confirmed case of measles, the local health officer may require students who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine to be excluded from school for 21 days after the last exposure, regardless of vaccine doses received after exposure.
Please talk to your students/children about the importance of not sharing items that may be contaminated with saliva. Dispose of or clean items that may be soiled with nose and throat discharge. Cover your sneeze or cough with the crook of your arm, and encourage proper hand washing.
Measles can be controlled and eventually eliminated if children are vaccinated fully and on time.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. If your child is diagnosed with measles, please contact the school as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Amber Varrelman, RN
District Nurse
509-782-2001
